With the economy the way it is, I recognize the need to save money. I also recognize the need for gadgets. I mean, who doesn’t love their toys? These days, though, it seems that everything cool is priced at $150 or above. Thankfully, there are manufacturers out there who realize that everyone’s pockets aren’t that deep, and they’ve accommodated the thrifty by making gadgets that are affordable, reliable, and just downright awesome. Here then, are five gadgets under $50 that you can make everyone jealous with.

USB Rechargeable Batteries ($18)

Tired of your toys running out of juice all the time? Yeah, me too. Everything from my remote control to my wireless game controllers, it always seems that they never work when I want them to, and that all the batteries in my junk drawer are dead. Thankfully, there are these puppies that can be recharged in any USB port, allowing for me to always have batteries on-hand. (USB Cell)

Jump-Start DC Power Plus ($40)

There’s nothing worse than waking up in the morning to go to work, only to find that your car battery is drained because you left your lights on. Luckily there’s little gadget that will solve all your problems. It can restart your battery without jumper cables, and it has a flashlight, so even if you’re stranded at night, you can still get to where you are going with no problems.

SanDisk Sansa Clip MP3 Player ($37.90)

Want an MP3 player but don’t want to spend the money because it’s called Apple? Try this little baby out. It’s got 1GB, which is perfect for going to the gym with, or taking a jog, or even just going to school. Complete with a user-friendly interface, sleek design, and pretty darn good sound quality, you don’t have to spend a fortune on an MP3 player in order to enjoy your music.

Black and Decker Thermal Leak Detector ($49.99)

It may look like something you’re going ghost hunting with, but trust me. It’s not. This handy gadget from Black and Decker will help you find out just where hot or cold air is escaping from your house. The light will shift to either blue or red when a temperature leak is detected, allowing for you to fix the problem in order to conserve energy in the home, which in turn will save you money. Now tell me, who doesn’t love saving money?

Rap Cap Microphone ($15)

Have a lecture you want to record? Perhaps a business meeting? Or maybe you just want to record your spouse snoring. That’s where the Rap Cap Microphone comes in. Compatible with the iPod Nano 4G, iPod classic 120GB, iPod Touch 2G/3G, and the iPhone 3G, there’s no batteries required. It works with the Voice Memo app on the iPhone, but it also comes with free software in order to get it working on your other devices. (Urban Outfitters)